DG Health and Food Safety. Europhyt Interceptions. AnnualReport Health and Food Safety

Transcription

1 DG Health and Food Safety Europhyt Interceptions AnnualReport 2016 Health and Food Safety

2 Ref. Ares(2017) /07/2017 EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY Health and food audits and analysis DG(SANTE) MR EUROPHYT-INTERCEPTIONS EUROPEAN UNION NOTIFICTION SYSTEM FOR PLANT HEALTH INTERCEPTIONS ANNUAL REPORT 2016

3 Executive summary EUROPHYT - Interceptions is the plant health interception, notification and rapid alert system for EU Member States and Switzerland, managed by the European Commission. This report presents key statistics on non-eu country interceptions from 2016 and provides analysis of trends in interceptions based on annual figures for the period In 2016, EUROPHYT - Interceptions received a total of 8,153 notifications concerning consignments intercepted due to non-conformities with EU requirements, of which 7,774 were of non-eu country origin. Although the overall total for 2016 was markedly up over the previous year, this was attributable to increased interceptions of non-compliant wood packaging material and documentary problems. Notifications due to the presence of harmful organisms (HOs), where there is a clear risk, showed a continuing and significant decrease, declining by 25% since For these HO interceptions, thirteen non-eu countries were responsible for the majority of interceptions during 2016, each having more than 50 interceptions. The main non-eu country commodities intercepted for HO were fruit and vegetables (particularly peppers, mango, basil, citrus and various gourds), Wood Packaging Material (WPM), cut flowers and planting material. Some non-eu country commodities (such as Capsicum, Citrus, Solanum and Luffa spp.) showed a marked decrease in interceptions during 2016 following Commission initiated bilateral dialogue, measures, including safeguard measures and/or plant health audits. The marked increase in WPM interceptions was mainly attributable to reasons other than the presence of HOs (in particular inappropriate or absence of the ISPM 15 mark). This increase is almost exclusively attributable to an on-going surge in Latvian, and to a lesser extent Lithuanian, interceptions of Russian consignments (reported as non-compliant). With regard to HOs in WPM, there was an overall decrease from 2015 due mainly to reduced interceptions from India, and to a lesser extent Russia, Vietnam and Indonesia, despite a marked increase from China. As regards cut flowers, the most important commodities during 2016 were, in descending order of interception numbers, Gypsophila spp., orchids, Rosa spp., Solidago spp., Eryngium spp. and Chrysanthemum spp. Leaf miners (Liriomyza spp.), white flies (Bemisia spp.), Thrips spp., and Spodoptera spp. continued to be the most prominent intercepted pests on cut flowers. With respect to planting material, Bemisia tabaci (non-european populations) continued to be the most intercepted HO (with a threefold increase over the previous year). Twelve HOs, considered not present or previously recorded from within the EU territory were intercepted for the first time in Species level designation of HOs in the notifications increased very slightly to 53.9% of all taxonomic designations in 2016 (with the most marked increase in genus level reporting). Further efforts to encourage species level reporting in order to improve the effective operation of EUROPHYT - Interceptions as a rapid alert system, and to support decisions on Commission measures with respect to risks from non-eu country imports, will continue. I

4 Despite ongoing efforts by Member States and some improvements, delays in EUROPHYT- Interceptions notification times has remained too long and well in excess of the two working days stipulated in EU legislation. II

5 Acronyms CIS EFSA EPPO EU Commonwealth of Independent States European Food Safety Authority European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation European Union EUROPHYT-Interceptions The EU notification and rapid alert system dealing with interceptions for plant health reasons of consignments of plants and plant products imported into, or traded within, the EU HOs ISPM MSs NPPO PC RERI TRACES WPM Harmful organisms International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures EU Member States (are also, except United Kingdom, referred to individually in tables and figures of the report by their two-letter ISO code) National Plant Protection Organisation Phytosanitary Certificate Response to Emerging Risks from Imports Trade Control and Expert System Wood packaging material III

6 Table of Contents 1. Introduction EUROPHYT Interceptions Support to risk management decisions Objective/Aim Notifications Reasons for interceptions Member States and non-eu country Notifications Interceptions of consignments imported from non-eu countries Type and origin of the consignments (all reasons) Intercepting MS Interceptions with harmful organisms Interceptions for reasons other than presence of harmful organisms Key Commodities further analysis and considerations Planting material Fruit and vegetables Cut flowers Wood packaging material Harmful organisms notified in EUROPHYT - Interceptions for the first time in Species level identification needs and challenges Time taken by MS to notify Conclusions...30 Annex

7 1. Introduction 1.1 EUROPHYT Interceptions EUROPHYT- Interceptions 1 is an on-line web-based rapid alert system for plant health interceptions in the European Union (EU), originally established according to the provisions of Commission Directive 94/3/EC of 21 January The basis for EUROPHYT Interceptions is the obligation for EU Member States (MSs) (and Switzerland (CH)) to rapidly notify harmful organisms (HOs) and other plant health risks found during import controls. Notifications of such interceptions are in turn disseminated EU wide and to the National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) of the country of export. Similarly, interceptions made in intra-eu trade of material that does not meet EU phytosanitary requirements, are also subject to notification and dissemination. Since its inception, EUROPHYT- Interceptions has been hosted, managed and continuously developed by a dedicated team within the European Commission's Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety ensuring day-to-day monitoring and management of the system and database, as well as co-ordinating on-going system maintenance and upgrades. EUROPHYT- Interceptions personnel also perform a range of periodic reporting functions 3 and provide a dedicated helpdesk to provide on-going support to both MSs and non-eu National Plant Protection Organisation stakeholders. 1.2 Support to risk management decisions In addition to its function as a rapid alert system, the EUROPHYT- Interceptions database has increasingly served as an effective risk assessment and risk management policy support tool. In this respect, the Non-EU trade Alert List, published each month on the DG Health and Food Safety website: Non-EU trade alert list - European Commission, acts as a platform to both capture interception trends with respect to plant health risks from non-eu country imports, but also as a basis to communicate these risks across the spectrum of stakeholders involved in trade and non-eu country imports, etc. As such it helps encourage relevant parties to deal with such risks at source. The Alert List ranks non-eu country trades and HO interceptions based on a set of specific criteria. It is updated monthly, covering the preceding 12 months, and as such, gauges trends in plant health risks on an on-going rolling monthly basis, i.e. it effectively provides an indication, and on-going overview, of trends with regard to certain phytosanitary risks for the EU from imports. In addition, the Alert list is used as a risk management tool by the 1 The rapid alert system for plant health interceptions formerly known as EUROPHYT has, since November 2015, been renamed EUROPHYT - Interceptions to distinguish it from EUROPHYT - Outbreaks, a parallel system for notification of outbreaks of both regulated and non-regulated HOs on MS territory, under Commission Implementing Decision 2014/917/EU. 2 Commission Directive 94/3/EC of 21 January 1994 establishing a procedure for the notification of interception of a consignment or a harmful organism from third countries and presenting an imminent phytosanitary danger. OJ L 32, , p Monthly and annual data extracts are published on-line, along with other EU plant health related information at 2

8 Commission and by the Expert Working Group on the Response to Emerging Risks from Imports (RERI WG), which until the end of 2016 provided expert advice to the Commission on risk management. The Alert List, published in January 2017 (i.e. covering the entire 12 month reference period for 2016), is given in Table 8.1 of the Annex. In addition to the individual import interception notifications, which are automatically generated and immediately sent to the competent authorities of the country of origin, the Alert List provides a transparent overview that constitutes the main basis for EU interaction with the country of origin for achieving increased compliance with the EU's phytosanitary import requirements. Furthermore, the Alert List has established itself as a principal tool in the annual and multi-annual work planning for plant health audits conducted by Directorate F. 1.3 Objective/Aim This report aims to provide an annual overview of the highlights and most pertinent interceptions notified during ,5. Furthermore, it evaluates, where relevant, the overall and principal trends over the period within the context of EU actions or measures taken. Given that the principal plant health risk to the EU arises from non-eu countries (non-eu countries, other than CH) detailed analysis of intra-eu interceptions is excluded. Despite this, some key statistics for interceptions within the EU over the reference period are given in section 2 (Fig. 2.1 and Table 2.1 of the Annex). 2. Notifications EUROPHYT Interceptions received an overall total of 8,153 notifications during 2016, approximately 13.6% higher than that recorded for 2015, and further continuing the reversal of the slight downward trend observed over the period 2012 to Of this figure, 7,774 originated from non-eu country consignments, whilst the remaining 379 represented interceptions from intra-eu trade, representing an approximate 15% increase, and a 9.3% decrease relative to the previous year, respectively. Figure 2.1 gives an overview of the number of interceptions for non-eu countries and MSs over the period 2012 to All public data of EUROPHYT - Interceptions, including those in this annual report, are prepared in line with Regulation EC (No) 45/2001 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data. 5 Data presented in this report has been extracted based on notification date. 3

9 8,000 7,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 From TC From MS 2,000 1, Fig Total number of notifications to EUROPHYT Interceptions ( ) recorded from non-eu countries and intra-eu trade for all reasons (see also Table 2.1 of the Annex). 2.1 Reasons for interceptions Fig. 2.2 gives a breakdown by non-conformity for all non-eu country interceptions in 2016, showing also the evolution over the reference period The basic data are provided in the Annex (Table 2.2) 6 The three principal reasons for interceptions remain (in descending order of incidence): Noncompliant WPM, HOs and absence of, or non-conforming, phytosanitary certificates (PCs). Interceptions of WPM, non-compliant with ISPM 15, continued to increase considerably in 2016 (to 47.6 % of all interceptions). This increase appears in contrast to the number of interceptions for HO, which has exhibited a decrease in interceptions of 24.6% since 2014 (see Fig. 2.2 and Table 2.2 of the Annex). The figure for the absence of PCs increased by approximately 33.7%% over the previous year to 12.7% of the total number of all non-eu country interceptions in In general, issues related to PCs, as a whole, have remained largely constant between 2014 and 2015, but with a pronounced reduction in notifications due to incomplete, illegible, fake and expired PCs (by -22.6% from the previous year), with a further only slight reduction with issues related to additional declarations. 6 In this report the totals always refer to the number of intercepted consignments in that particular category. If there was more than one reason of interception in the case of a consignment (e.g. presence of a harmful organism and absence of phytosanitary certificate) or more than one HO was intercepted, the interception is counted separately in each of the relevant categories, however only once concerning the overall number of interceptions. Consequently the totals may be lower than the sum of subcategories. Furthermore, some sub-categories include more than one reason for interception, depending on the comparison of the data table, and therefore, there could be slight differences in numbers reflected in different data tables and/or figures. 4

10 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% HO presence Prohibited goods Non- compliant WPM PC absent PC incomplete, illegible, fake, expired PC problems with additional declarations Other reasons Fig.2.2. Reasons and evolution of interceptions of consignments from non-eu countries over the reference period Jan-16 Feb-16 Mar-16 Apr-16 May-16 Jun-16 Jul-16 Aug-16 Sep-16 Oct-16 Nov-16 Dec-16 Fig Graphical representation of the total number of HO interceptions on the non-eu trade Alert List during 2016 (month-on-month evolution of interception totals for the previous 12 month periods). 2.2 Member States and non-eu country Notifications In the reference period 2012 to 2016, twelve MSs referred to in Fig. 2.4 were responsible for over 91% of all notifications reported to EUROPHYT - Interceptions. Of these twelve MSs, Latvia (LV), United Kingdom (UK), Germany (DE) and the Netherlands (NL) reported 1,628, 1,174, 1,113 and 777 interceptions, respectively, in 2016 (together accounting for approximately 60.4% of the total number of all interceptions). 5

11 LV emerged as the MS with the highest number of interceptions (for all reasons) in 2016, surpassing that of the UK which had hitherto maintained a dominant interception profile over all other MSs since This interception surge by LV is largely attributable to the on-going application of national requirements for WPM, whereby LV conducts inspections of all WPM at all points of entry into the country and where interceptions, and subsequent notifications, are made concerning the absence of the ISPM 15 mark. In recent years this has resulted in increased interceptions from Russia and neighbouring Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), a trend first identified in This phenomenon also forms the basis for the notable increase, albeit less prominent, of interceptions of Russian and CIS WPM by neighbouring Lithuania (LT) (which also exercises a generally similar approach with respect to WPM inspections at points of entry into the country). Both LV and LT are considered as MSs with relatively low volumes of imports. The UK recorded a further drop in interceptions in 2016, following a similar drop in 2015, whilst DE and NL both recorded a marked increase, with a further small increase for France (FR) over the previous year. All four MSs are considered as large importers. Austria (AT) and Poland (PL) have had an on-going upward trend in interceptions since 2012, whilst Belgium (BE), Spain (ES), CH and Italy (IT) each recorded a decrease in the number of interceptions in With regard to the number of interceptions relative to the estimated volume of imports of regulated articles 7, the interception profiles for BE, ES, CH and IT over the period under analysis ( ) represent relatively low numbers of interceptions, as it does for PL (Table 2.4 of the Annex), whereas AT continues to intercept consignments in relatively high numbers relative to its lower volume of imports. 1,800 1,600 1,400 1,200 1, LV UK DE NL LT FR AT BE ES CH PL IT 7 Regulated articles as described by Council Directive 2000/29/EC, subject to specific requirements, such as phytosanitary certificates and mandatory import control. Currently no exact information is available at EU level on the volume of imports, subject to phytosanitary controls. EUROSTAT data provides only indicative information, as the customs codes (TARIC) only to a limited extent correspond to the regulated articles, defined by the EU plant health legislation as subject to phytosanitary controls. 6

12 Fig MSs with the overall largest number of all notified interceptions in the period Interceptions of consignments imported from non-eu countries Key points There were a total of 7,774 interceptions from non-eu countries. These may be broken down as follows: WPM (treatment) and other objects: 3,770 (47.5%) Presence of Harmful Organisms: 1,815 (22.9%) Absence of, or non-conforming, phytosanitary certificates: 2,084 (26.3%) Other reasons: 261 (3.3%) For interceptions due to the presence of HOs, the main commodities intercepted were fruit and vegetables (66.7%), Wood packaging material (14.4%), cut flowers (9.3%) and planting material (6.2%): The main countries of origin of intercepted fruit and vegetables with HOs were Laos (LA), Uganda (UG), Bangladesh (BD), Mali (ML) and Thailand (TH). (see Fig. 4.4 and Table 4.4 of the annex). The main countries of origin of intercepted wood packaging material with HOs were China (CN) and India (IN) (see Fig 4.8 and Table 4.8 of the annex). The main countries of origin of intercepted cut flowers with HOs were Israel (IL), TH and Ecuador (EC) (see Section 4.3). The main countries of origin of intercepted planting material with HOs were CN, Ethiopia (ET), IL, Malaysia (MY) and United States of America (US) (see Section 4.1). 3.1 Type and origin of the consignments (all reasons) Of the 7,774 non-eu country interceptions reported in 2016 for all reasons, 4,637 concerned plants and plant products (including fruits and vegetables, wood/bark, seeds, planting material, cut flowers, and other plant products), and 3,222 concerned objects (WPM and other objects) 8. Although the overall pattern, in terms of general proportions between intercepted product class, has remained largely similar over the previous five years, there has been a marked increase in the numbers of interceptions for both WPM and wood and bark (18.2% and 195.7% over the previous year, respectively), consolidating WPM interceptions as the commodity class with the largest number of notifications for all reasons over the past 8 Plants. plant products and objects as defined by Article 2 of Council Directive 2000/29/EC. 7

13 two years. Seeds, and to a lesser extent, cut flowers also record increases (61.6% and 15%, respectively, over the previous year, respectively), whereas fruits and vegetables, as well as planting material, both recorded a downward trend over previous years (decreasing 13.7% and 14.2% over the previous year, respectively). These trends can be seen in Fig and Table 3.1 of the Annex Planting material Seeds Fruits, vegetables Cut flowers Wood, bark WPM Others Fig Type of intercepted commodities from non-eu countries ( ). EUROPHYT - Interceptions recorded interceptions from 158 different exporting non-eu countries in 2016 (slightly up from a total of 155 in 2015). As in the previous three years (2013 to 2015), three non-eu countries dominated the total number of interceptions for all reasons. The largest number of non-eu country interceptions originated from the Russian Federation (RU) responsible for approximately 26.9% of the total of all interceptions from non-eu countries in 2016 and representing an increase of 71% over the previous year. This large increase is mainly caused by interceptions of noncompliant WPM by LV and LT (as is also the case for the increase in interceptions from Belarus (BY) and Ukraine (UA)). The second highest number of interceptions was from the US, representing approximately 11.4% (up 23.8% over 2015), followed by CN representing 7.4% of all interceptions from non-eu countries (up 46.8% over 2015). The increases for the US and CN are also attributable to increased WPM interceptions. The remaining non-eu countries, of particular concern, in descending order for 2016, include Turkey (TR), TH, IN, Brazil (BR), Ukraine (UA), LA, BY and IL, of which only TH and IN recorded a downward trend over the previous year (see Fig. 3.2 and Table 3.2 of the Annex). Taken together, these eleven countries accounted for approximately 66.3% of all non-eu country interceptions in

14 2,000 1,500 1, RU US CN TR TH IN BR UA LA BY IL Fig Non-EU countries with the highest number of interceptions (all reasons) ( ). 3.2 Intercepting MS Of the MSs responsible for the greatest number of interceptions of consignments from non- EU countries in 2016, LV was responsible for approximately 20.9% (an increase of 75.6% over the previous year, largely attributable to increased interceptions of non-compliant WPM (see also sections 2.1 and 3.3). The UK was responsible for 15.1% of interceptions, continuing an overall downward trend since 2012 (with the exception of 2014), followed by DE (14.3%), NL (10.3%), LT (7.2%), FR (6.3%) and AT (4.2%), each of which recorded a year on year increase of 10.2%, 11.2%, 61.5%, 3.4%, 23.5%, respectively. The large increase recorded by LT is attributable to increased interceptions of non-compliant WPM (as for LV). BE, ES, CH and IT were each responsible for 3.4%, 3.2%, 2.6% and 2.2%, respectively, representing a decrease over the previous year. PL recorded a 2.4% share of all interceptions in 2016, an increase of 30.7% over the previous year. The trends and figures for the total number of interceptions by MSs can be seen from Fig. 2.4, and Table 2.4 of the Annex. In 2016, the MS with the greatest number of HO interceptions from non-eu countries was the UK (624 interceptions or 34.4% (down 26.7% over the previous year, and continuing a downward trend since 2013), followed, in descending order, by NL (328, or 18.1% (up 6.8% over 2015, and reversing a previous downward trend from 2013), FR (221, or 12.2% (up 29.2% over the previous year)) and DE (138, or 7.6% (down 39.7% over 2015)). In all, the thirteen MS highlighted in Fig.3.3 were responsible for over 98.2% of all non-eu country HO interceptions in The following MSs also recorded a reduction in the number of HO interceptions over the previous year; BE (11.3%), ES (43.8%), Sweden (SE) (25%), CH (11.1%) and Ireland (IE) (60%). By contrast, AT, IT, LT and LV each reported increased HO interceptions of 53.2%, 36.4%, 7.7% and 133% from the previous year, respectively. Irrespective of the observed trend, the number of HO interceptions by IT (45), ES (96), BE (102) and CH (56), appear relatively low in relation to their geographical and international 9

15 trade positions (Fig. 3.3; and Table 3.3 of the Annex). With regard to LT and LV, representing only 14 and seven HO interceptions for 2016, respectively, these figures contrast markedly with those for interceptions for all reasons, which, for these two countries are attributable, almost exclusively, to non-compliant WPM (see section 2.2, and Fig. 2.4). 1,200 1, UK NL FR DE BE ES AT SE CH IT LT IE LV Fig Member States intercepting the highest number of consignments with harmful organisms ( ). 3.3 Interceptions with harmful organisms 1,815 of the non-eu country notifications in 2016 concerned HOs (15% lower than in 2015, and continuing a general downward trend from 2013 (with an overall fall of 25.9%). Of these 1,815 notifications, 1,555 were attributable to consignments of plants and/or plant products (15.8% lower than in 2015), with 261 attributable to objects 9 (12.7% lower than in the previous year) (see Fig. 3.4 and Table 3.4 of the Annex). 9 Defined as any other material or object, other than plants or plant products, capable of harbouring or spreading pests, e.g. WPM. 10

16 2,500 2,000 1,500 1,000 Plants Objects Fig Consignments from non-eu countries intercepted with harmful organisms ( ). Of the HO interceptions in 2016, 66.8% involved fruit and vegetables, showing a downward trend of 32.7% since Despite this, fruit and vegetables remain, by far, the dominant commodity class for HO interceptions. This is followed by WPM (14.4%), cut flowers (9.3%) and planting material (6.2%). Both seeds and wood/bark, which represent a very small share of the total number of annual HO notifications, each registered a very slight decrease compared to the previous year (see Fig and Table 3.5 of the Annex). Although largely reflecting the pattern and trends for all notifications as given in Fig. 3.1, in particular with regard to fruit and vegetables, and cut flowers, the principal difference is highlighted with respect to WPM and wood and bark interceptions. For WPM, HO interceptions account for only 8.1% of total notifications, the majority of which relates to documentary issues and non-compliance with special requirements. 11

17 Planting material Seeds Fruits, vegetables Cut flowers Wood, bark WPM Others Fig Type of consignments from non-eu countries, intercepted with harmful organisms ( ). The non-eu countries with the highest number of interceptions of HOs in 2016 are given in Fig. 3.6 (see also Table 3.6 of the Annex). CN, LA, IL, Vietnam (VN), ML, MY and the Dominican Republic (DO) each record an increase over the previous year, of which CN, LA, VN and MY exhibit a clear and consistent upward multi-year trend. Although very much less pronounced, TH and BD each exhibit slight increases in HO interceptions over the previous year. For TH, this increase was despite a series of action(s) taken by the Thai NPPO following communications from the Commission (in addition to interception updates as provided by the Commission to the Thai authorities on a routine monthly basis). A follow-up plant health audit is planned for TH in UG, IN, Kenya (KE), and to a lesser extent Cameroon (CM), each had an overall reduction in HO interceptions, compared to In addition to the implementation by UG of a temporary export self-ban for Thaumatotibia leucotreta (false codling moth) on Capsicum spp. during the second half of 2015, a plant health audit during September 2016, appears to have helped reverse a hitherto annual upward trend in interceptions from Uganda, although the total number of interceptions for 2016 remained high. With respect to IN, the marked decrease in HO interceptions, as highlighted in section 3.1, is largely attributable to emergency measures with respect to Mangifera spp. (treatment requirement), and the maintenance of the EU import ban (Commission Decision 2014/237/EU) with respect to Colocasia spp., Momordica spp., Solanum melangena and Trichosanthes spp. to tackle the introduction of the main HOs for which these plants are hosts: fruit flies (Tephritidae), thrips (Thripidae) and white flies (Bemisia tabaci)). In 12

18 addition, IN had a marked decrease in the total number of interceptions of WPM during 2016 (see also section 4.4). The marked reduction (47.7%) in HO interceptions from KE is primarily due to fewer false codling moth interceptions on Capsicum spp., and to a lesser extent, fewer fruit flies from Mangifera and Momordica spp., as well as leaf miners on flowers. As for CM, although the situation with regard to interceptions of fruit flies on mango has worsened overall since 2014, there was a slight drop in interceptions during Despite this, a plant health audit is planned for LA continued with an acclerated rate of interceptions during the first half of 2016 with a range of HOs from across a wide spectrum of commodities, approaching that of the total number of interceptions for 2015 by May Although suppressive measures via the implementation of a unilateral temporary export ban on the four most frequently intercepted commodities (Capsicum spp., Eryngium spp., Ocimum spp. and Piper spp. (mainly associated with white fly interceptions) from May 2016, and a Commission plant health audit in November 2016, considerably reduced this rate during the rest of the year, the total number of interceptions for 2016 surpassed that of Similarly, with regard to IL, the 109.8% increase over the previous year, reversing a consistent downward trend since 2013, was largely due to interceptions of leafminers on Gypsophila spp. cut flowers, and to lesser extent Bemisia tabaci on Ocimum spp., in addition to ten Bursaphelenchus spp. interceptions from WPM (see Fig. 3.6 and Table 3.6 of the Annex). All non-eu countries that continued to exhibit high numbers of interceptions during 2016 will be subject to on-going evaluation with possible further action(s) and/or measures as deemed appropriate. 13

19 CN LA UG TH BD IL IN VN ML KE MY CM DO Fig Non-EU countries with the highest number of interceptions with harmful organisms ( ). 3.4 Interceptions for reasons other than presence of harmful organisms There were a total of 6,070 non-eu country interceptions in 2016 for reasons other than HO presence, representing an overall increase from 2015 of 26.8%. Of this total, 2,002, which is similar to 2015, involved plants and plant products. Thus, the overall increase is largely attributable to WPM, as well as wood and bark, with 3,017 (up 19.6% over 2015) and 949 (up 217.4% over 2015) notifications in 2016, respectively Planting material Seeds Fruits, vegetables Cut flowers Wood, bark WPM Others Fig Share of the major commodity groups in interceptions due to reasons other than the presence of HOs ( ). 14

20 Of the plants and plant products, fruit and vegetables accounted for the largest number of interceptions (717), which have remained largely static since 2014 (see Fig 3.7). Seeds (569) and cut flowers (260) each recorded an increase in notifications due to reasons other than the presence of HOs of 67.4% and 13% over the previous year, respectively. Whereas planting material (456) exhibited a reduction of 22.3% from the previous year (see also Table 3.7 of the Annex). In addition to ISPM 15 requirements (mark missing, illegible, or inappropriately marked, etc.), the surge in interceptions of WPM, due to reasons other than the presence of HOs, is almost entirely attributable to increased WPM inspections practiced at all entry points into to LV, and also into LT (the majority of which are from CIS states). Consignments, other than WPM, were primarily intercepted due to the absence, or various inappropriateness, of phytosanitary certificates, including inadequate or missing additional declarations RU US CN TR UA TH BR IN BY EG Fig Non-EU countries with the highest number of interceptions for reasons other than presence of harmful organisms ( ) (and see Table 3.8 of the Annex). As regards the non-eu countries involved, the ten countries, referred to in Fig. 3.8, were responsible for 75.8% of interceptions not attributable to the presence of HOs (each having 100 or more such interceptions) during RU was responsible for 34.6% of all consignments intercepted due to reasons other than the presence of HOs (up 72% on the previous year). This increase is directly comparable to the combined increase in interceptions for reasons other than the presence of HOs as reported by LV and LT together for WPM (see above and also section 2.2, and Fig. 2.4). Next, the US is responsible for 13.4% (up 21.3% on the previous year, and continuing an upward trend from 2013), CN (6.9%, up 56.2% on the previous year, and 73.2% since 2012). The following non-eu countries each recorded an increase in interceptions in 2016; Turkey (TR) (26.5%), UA (87.1%), BR (190.3%), BY (87.8%) and Egypt (EG) (52%), each, with the exception of BY, represents a consistent upward trend since Both TH and IN show a downward trend for 2016 of 31.4% and 13.9%, respectively. In respect of IN, this downward 15

21 trend has been both steady and consistent, year on year, since 2012, with the overall fall for IN since 2012 at 53.1%. Further analysis of the WPM interceptions is given in section Key Commodities further analysis and considerations 4.1 Planting material Planting material remains the most critical and high risk pathway for the introduction of HOs into the EU. Consequently, all vegetative material for planting as well as seeds of certain plant species from non-eu countries are regulated. In 2016, EUROPHYT - Interceptions received notifications of 1,147 consignments of planting material (including seeds) from non- EU countries (up 13.2% over the previous year) (see Table 3.1 of the Annex). Similar to previous years, HOs were detected in 11.2% (129) of the consignments, representing predominantly cuttings, other material not yet planted, as well as seeds. Also as in previous years, the absence of a PC remained the main reason for interceptions (673); followed by cases where the PC did not contain the required additional declaration (199) or was inadequate, illegible, fake or expired (58). Only six interceptions were of prohibited goods. (see Fig. 4.1 and Table 4.1 of the Annex) HO presence Prohibited goods PC absent PC incomplete, illegible, fake, expired PC problems with additional declarations Other reasons Fig. 4.1 Reasons and evolution of interceptions of consignments of planting material from non-eu countries over the reference period Taken together, the number of interceptions due to a missing, or inappropriate additional declaration, has steadily declined over the period 2012 to 2015 (approximately 22.7% overall), following a spike in figures during 2012 and This decrease noted over the same period coincides with the start of the NL programme to systematically check the conformity of declarations with EU requirements as well as an improved conformity by non- EU countries. The majority of the intercepted plants for planting continue to be cuttings, not 16

22 planted plant parts and seeds. As noted during 2015, a wide range of taxonomically diverse plant species were intercepted, but generally with only a few interceptions of each (for most species, less than 10 interceptions). There was a marked increase for some HOs intercepted frequently in previous years (e.g. Bemisia tabaci, viruses and nematodes) and overall a 51.4% increase in planting material interceptions with HOs (see Table 3.5 of the Annex). CN, ET, IL, MY and the US were the non-eu countries exporting the highest number of consignments of planting material intercepted with HOs. In the case of CN (14), this was due to a range of HOs from a wide range of commodities, ET (11), mainly white flies, IL (11), also white flies, as was the case for MY (10). The US (9), which continued a modest upward trend with interceptions of Potato tuber spindle viroid from Capsicum spp. seed consignments. 4.2 Fruit and vegetables In 2016, EUROPHYT - Interceptions received 1,922 notifications of fruit/vegetable interceptions for all reasons from non-eu countries, 1,212 of which were due to the presence of HOs. Fruit/vegetables have consistently been the commodity group where the majority of HO interceptions occur (66.7% in 2016). The other reasons for interception in 2016 were absence of PCs (167), missing or inappropriate additional declaration (233), and incomplete PC (61). In 2016, the total number of fruit/vegetable interceptions from non-eu countries decreased by 13.7% from 2015 (see Fig. 3.1 and Table 3.1 of the Annex) and those with HO decreased by 21.5% (see Fig. 3.5 and Table 3.5 of the Annex). In 2016, 67.2% of the fruit/vegetable interceptions with HOs from non-eu countries related to nine plant species or group of species. Most of the interceptions were with peppers (Capsicum spp.) (213), mango (Mangifera spp.) (193), basil (Ocimum spp.) (111), Citrus spp. (97), bitter gourds (Momordica spp.) (71), Corchorus spp. (65), Solanum spp. (43), Trichosanthes spp. (41) and serpent gourds (Luffa spp.) (11) (Fig. 4.2 and Table 4.2 of the Annex). Both Capsicum spp. and Citrus spp. recorded a marked decrease in interceptions during In the case of Capsicum spp., this was mainly attributable to on-going communications from the Commission, primarily to a range of African countries, highlighting the forthcoming change in status of Thaumatotibia leucotreta (false codling moth), as well as, more pointedly, emergency measures against Ghana (GH) (which have recently been extended to 31 December 2017). Together, these actions have resulted in the subsequent drop in false codling moth interceptions. For Citrus spp., the implementation of emergency measures (Commission Implementing Decision 2016/715 in May 2016), coupled with bilateral communications and Citrus specific plant health audits to South Africa (ZA), UG and 17

23 Argentina (AR), resulted in a marked decrease in citrus black spot (Phyllosticta citricarpa) interceptions from all the major Citrus spp. exporting countries to the EU during Three other commodities, namely, Momordica spp., Solanum spp. and Luffa spp. each recorded a decrease in interceptions during 2016, each, with the exception of Luffa spp., following a year on year downward trend since 2012 (partly attributable to measures under the EU import ban (Commission Decision 2014/237/EU) against IN). However, despite this, there were increased interceptions for Trichosanthes spp. and Corchorus spp. Mango (Mangifera spp.), which hitherto exhibited a negative trend since 2014, to a large extent attributable to measures taken in IN (2014/237/EU), and laterly by Pakistan (PK), recorded a marked increase in interceptions during 2016, mainly because of a surge in fruit fly interceptions from ML, and to a lesser extent, from CM Capsicum spp. Mangifera spp. Ocimum spp. Citrus spp. Momordica spp. Corchorus spp. Solanum spp. Trichosanthes spp. Luffa spp. Fig Fruit and vegetable species with the highest number of harmful organism interceptions from non-eu countries ( )

24 Fruit Flies White flies False codling moth Leafminers Thrips Citrus black spot Citrus canker Fig Harmful organism groups intercepted with fruit and vegetables from non-eu countries ( ). As in previous years, the principal HO groups intercepted in fruit/vegetable consignments in 2016 were insects, citrus black spot and, to a lesser extent, citrus canker (Xanthomonas citri, subsp. citri) as highlighted in Fig. 4.3 (and see Table 4.3 of the Annex). The principal HO group, non-european fruit flies (Tephritidae), remained dominant again in Although interceptions in this group recorded a steady year on year decrease in interceptions since 2013, this downward trend was reversed in 2016, largely due to increased interceptions on mango. Similarly, thrips (84) interceptions continued a firm and steady downward trend in 2016 (61.5% lower than in 2015, and 81.3% lower than in 2013), again, as in 2015, this was mainly associated with eggplant. White fly (Bemisia spp.), primarily associated with basil, reversed its previous upward trend during 2016, recording a fall of 11.4% over the previous year. Thaumatotibia leucotreta (false codling moth) (146), mainly associated with pepper from across Africa, recorded a fall in interceptions of 43.6% from Leaf miners (Liriomyza spp.), although following a downward trend with respect to interceptions since 2012, recorded a 41.9% increase in 2016, largely due to an increase in interceptions from celery. Although citrus canker notifications remained largely static during 2016, the surge in citrus black spot interceptions recorded in 2015 (up 126% over the previous year), due to increased interceptions from South America (in particular UG), was reversed in This was largely due to the implementation of the revised EU emergency measures for citrus black spot (Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2016/715), which included UG, in parallel with bilateral communication with, and citrus specific plant health audits to, the various exporting countries. Reduced numbers of interceptions due to HOs were also noted from UG, TH, IN and GH (see Fig. 4.4 and Table 4.4 of the Annex). With respect to UG, this decrease was largely a result 19

25 of Commission communication and an audit during This was similar for TH which, following Commission concerns regarding increased interceptions in 2015, and a pronounced upward trend during early 2016, responded with measures to address issues (mainly associated with thrips and fruit fly interceptions) across a wide range of commodities. The on-going downward trend in interceptions from IN (down 42.9% over the previous year, and 88.8% down from the height of interceptions in 2013) is attributable to the emergency measures from 2014 (Decision 2014/237/EU) which were amended for mango (treatment requirement) in February 2015 (Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/237), but maintaining a ban for Colocasia spp., Momordica spp., Solanum melangena and Trichosanthes spp. as described in section 3.1. Given IN's on-going and marked positive trend of reduced interception numbers for commodities not affected by the ban, and evidence of an improved export control system, Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/237 was not extended and subsequently expired on 31 December As mentioned in the previous report from 2015, these measures, although specifically applied to IN, appeared to have had a wider regional impact, in particular on PK (with a total of only 8 interceptions during 2016), which unilaterally introduced pre-export treatments of mango, in line with the requirements to ensure freedom from harmful organisms as applied to India under the emergency measures. As regards GH, the 91.8% reduction in interceptions over the previous year correlates to the application of emergency measures (Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/1849) banning the export of Capsicum spp., Lagenaria spp., Luffa spp., Momordica spp. and Solanum spp. (other than tomatoes) to the EU. GH was also subject to a plant health audit in The remaining non-eu countries featured in Fig. 4.4, LA, BD, ML, VN, DO, MY, Sri Lanka (LK) and Cambodia (KH), all recorded an increase in interceptions during In particular, LA increased its high level of interceptions as first recorded in 2015 covering a wide range of commodities and HO groups. Similarly, BD and VN also recorded increases. The DO, MY, LK, and KH, despite promising downward trends over previous years in the number of interceptions due to HOs, recorded increases of 35.1%, 57.1%, 63.2% and 50%, respectively, during Whereas ML recorded a 500% increase in interceptions over the previous year, almost exclusively due to fruit flies on mango (see also Table 4.4 of the annex). 20

26 LA UG BD ML TH VN DO MY IN LK GH KH Fig Interceptions of fruit and vegetables from non-eu countries due to HOs ( ). 4.3 Cut flowers In 2016, EUROPHYT Interceptions received notifications of 422 consignments of cut flowers from non-eu countries (for all reasons), an increase over 2015 (367), although lower than previous years. HOs were intercepted in 169 cases (40.4%), representing a slight increase over 2015 (143), but overall representing a downward trend since 2012 (down approximately 32.7% since then). The other reasons were absent or incomplete PCs (27.1%), prohibited plants (17.2%) and missing or inadequate additional declarations (10.8%), also representing a slight increase over 2015 (36), but overall representing a downward trend since 2012 (down approximately 60.5% since then). Cut flowers were responsible for approximately 9.3% of all interceptions with HOs from non-eu countries in In the period , six types of cut flowers Gypsophila spp., orchids, Rosa spp., Solidago spp., Eryngium spp. and Chrysanthemum spp. accounted for the vast majority of the interceptions with HOs. With the exception of Rosa spp., there was an increase in the number of interceptions for each of these cut flower types in In particular, orchid interceptions in 2016 were 25% above that recorded from 2012 (despite on-going Thai control measures). Similarly, Gypsophila spp. also increased in 2016, 153% greater than the previous year (Fig. 4.5 and Table 4.5 of the Annex). 21

27 Gypsophila spp. Orchidaceae Rosa spp. Solidago spp. Eryngium spp. Chrysanthemum spp Fig Cut flowers with the highest number of harmful organism interceptions from non-eu countries ( ). Most cut flower consignments intercepted in 2016 with HOs were exported from IL (30 mainly Gypsophila spp.), TH (26 mainly orchids), EC (16 mainly Gypsophila spp.), MY (12 mainly orchids), and Colombia (CO) (11 mainly Chrysanthemum spp.). Certain non- EU countries, which previously were regarded problematic with respect to HO interceptions on cut flower consignments, in particular Morocco (MA) and KE, both recorded decreases in Again, as in all previous years of the reporting period, NL was the MS with the highest number of interceptions of HOs on cut flowers in The main HOs intercepted in 2016 were leaf miners (61) (Liriomyza spp.), white flies (Bemisia spp.) (35), Thrips spp. (33), and Spodoptera spp. (18). Both leaf miner and white fly interceptions increased during 2016, whereas Thrips spp. and Spodoptera spp. interceptions decreased slightly relative to the previous year. The increase in the white fly notifications was largely attributable to continuing Thai orchid interceptions, whereas the leafminer increase was largely due to Israeli and Ecuadorian Gypsophila spp. interceptions. 4.4 Wood packaging material The EU legislation in force requires the treatment and marking of WPM originating from non-eu countries 10 according to the provisions of the international standard ISPM 15. It is not obligatory for MS to systematically inspect WPM used for the transport of goods. Taking into consideration the very large number of consignments where WPM may be present, it is only feasible and technically possible to check a proportion of the WPM in trade. The only 10 As well as from the areas of PT and ES demarcated for Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (but not dealt with here). 22

28 exception is WPM with certain types of products from CN, where since 2013, harmonised control rates are applied 11. Since the checks cover only a very small part of the imported WPM, the real risk presented by non-compliant WPM, and especially WPM infested with HOs is likely to be much larger than indicated by the interception figures. In 2016, EUROPHYT - Interceptions received 3,210 notifications of intercepted WPM in imported goods from non-eu countries (for all reasons), a further marked increase over 2015, and previous years over the reference period For reasons, other than the presence of HOs, 2,951 interceptions are recorded, continuing a marked upward trend since As in 2015, this was predominantly due to an increase of 37.2% in interceptions of dunnage, a 12.9% increase for WPM, and a 23.2% increase for wood pallets (see Fig. 4.6, and Table 4.6 of the annex). Again, as in previous years, a principal reason for interceptions of WPM was the absence of, or an inappropriate, ISPM 15 mark, with the increase attributable to CIS country interceptions, primarily by LV and LT, due to increased WPM inspections (see also section 2.2) With HOs Other reasons Fig Wood packaging material interceptions from non-eu countries ( ). Although interceptions due to HOs from WPM exhibited a slight decrease in 2016 compared to 2015 (a reduction of 7.8% due primarily to fewer interceptions recorded for wooden crates and wood pallets), the total figure of 261 is still above the average of the reference period , and approximately 22.5% higher than in Despite this decrease in 2016, CN has increased its total number of interceptions of HOs associated with WPM by approximately 58.4%, due to marked increases in the interceptions of ambrosia beetles (Xylosandrus spp. and Xyleborus spp.), velvet longhorned beetle (Trichoferus campestris), and to a lesser extent Asian longhorn beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis), each of which may be suited to European climatic conditions. The overall decrease in the annual figure can be 11 Commission Implementing Decision 2013/92/EU on the supervision, plant health checks and measures to be taken on wood packaging material actually in use in the transport of specified commodities originating in China. OJ L 47, , p

29 explained by the marked reduction in interceptions from India (down approximately 62.2%, possibly reflecting a knock on effect of the EU emergency measures for fruit and vegetables, (see section 4.2)), as well as decreased HO WPM interceptions from RU, VN and Indonesia (ID). A breakdown of the main non-eu countries responsible for HO interceptions from WPM is given in Fig 4.7 (and Table 4.7 of the annex) CN IN IL RU VN ID UA Fig 4.7. The principal non-eu countries responsible for interceptions of HOs from WPM ( ). Although Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (pinewood nematode) showed a further fall in interceptions for 2016 to only two (down from 12 in 2014 and five in 2015), interceptions for other Bursaphelenchus spp. recorded a slight increase in 2016, continuing, a small, yet consistent upward trend over the reference period (Fig. 4.8 and Table 4.8 of the Annex). 24

30 Wood and bark insects Longhorn beetles Bursaphelenchus xylophilus Bursaphelenchus spp Fig Harmful organisms intercepted in wood packaging material from non-eu countries ( ). 5. Harmful organisms notified in EUROPHYT - Interceptions for the first time in 2016 Each year previously unrecorded HOs are entered in the EUROPHYT - Interceptions database via the normal notification process. Although new to the EUROPHYT - Interceptions database, such novel entries do not necessarily represent a new incidence or unknown risk of a particular biological entity to the EU territory. In 2016, 85 new database entities were recorded in EUROPHYT - Interceptions, reported at varying taxonomic levels (34 to species, 30 to genus, and 18 to family level) of which 12, all insects with the exception of one nematode, can be considered as not present in the EU and not intercepted in the EU before. These are: Bactrocera tau Blepephaeus succinctor Chalcodermus aeneus Cofana sp. Cordylomera spinicornis Dialeurodes kirkaldyi Diaporthe eres Doliopygus sp. Orchidophilus sp. Saperda tridentata Xiphinema californicum Xyleborinus artestriatus 25

31 As in previous years, interceptions with new and hitherto un-encountered species could represent unidentified, or overlooked, plant health risks to the EU. Therefore, interceptions of novel species require attention. 6. Species level identification needs and challenges Accurate and reliable species identification is a fundamental requirement for effective and appropriate phytosanitary risk management in line with international fora and agreements. Failure to diagnose EU regulated HOs as such can undermine, or weaken, official EU responses to on-going threats. Despite EU wide diagnostic capacity, identification at species level is often not reported. In 2016, HO notifications reported at species level increased only very slightly over the previous year to 53.9% (up 1.7% over 2015, but 29.6% higher than in 2012). Although in some previous years, for example 2014, where the increase in species level designation was attributable to improved diagnosis from genus to species level, and 2015, where the improvement in overall species level designation was attributable to improved diagnosis at both family and genus level, the situation for 2016 is different. The only real improvement during 2016 relates to improved genus level diagnosis at family, or other higher taxonomic, and less informative, designations. Higher taxonomic designation, i.e. above family level, still remains (although slightly down in 2016 (at 4.2%) compared to other years) see Fig (and Table 6.1 of the Annex). Although the overall trend is welcomed, further efforts to ensure reporting at species level, for example, implementation, and further refinement of technical modifications to the EUROPHYT Interceptions system s interface where reporting of HO entities at or above genus level will require justification as part of the reporting process, will need to continue, in addition to further discussion and awareness raising with MSs % 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% Species Genus Family Other Fig Level of harmful organism identification ( ). 26

32 In 2016, 230 different species or other categories of HOs were reported. These can be grouped as follows (in descending order); insects (92.5%, 1 780), nematodes (2.9%, 56), fungi (2.6%, 51), bacteria (1.5%, 28) and virus and virus like organisms (0.5%, 10), see Fig 6.2 (and Table 6.2 in the Annex). Insects continue to dominate the total share of intercepted HOs from non-eu countries. Despite increase in fruit flies (predominantly on mango from West Africa), white flies, leaf miners and longhorn beetles, the decrease in the total number of insect interceptions, as single HO category, was largely due to falls in interceptions of wood and bark insects, false codling moth and thrips. The increase in nematode notifications is attributable to increased interceptions of a range of species from various commodities, not only WPM. As for fungi, the fall in 2016 is directly attributable to the impact of emergency measures for citrus and a fall in citrus black spot (Phyllosticta citricarpa) interceptions. For example, Uruguay had 70 interceptions of citrus black spot in 2015, but only three in % 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Insects Nematodes Fungi Bacteria Viruses Fig Share of harmful organism groups in the interceptions from non-eu countries ( ). Fruit flies maintained their position as the most commonly intercepted HO grouping in 2016, reversing a previous year on year downward trend since 2012 with an increase of 9% in interceptions. As mentioned above, this increase is attributable to interceptions of mango from West Africa. White flies, leafminers and longhorn beetles each recorded increased levels of interceptions during 2016, with white flies continuing a clear upward trend since False codling moth, wood and bark insects, and thrips recorded a fall in interceptions from the previous year. The fall with respect to false codling moth over the spike recorded in the previous year, attributable to increased controls by MS with regards Capsicum spp., which became regulated in October 2014, reflects ongoing efforts by non-eu countries, in particular in Africa, and the emergency measures taken against GH. With regard to the 27

33 marked decrease in 2016 with respect to thrips, this ongoing fall can, as highlighted in 2015, be largely attributed to successful action taken against host material from mainly IN (with knock-on effects on neighbouring PK). (see Fig and Table 6.3 of the Annex) Fruit Flies White flies Wood, bark insects Leafminers False codling moth Thrips Longhorn beetles Citrus black spot Fig Share of most prominent HO groups from interceptions recorded over the reference period Time taken by MS to notify A notification period of no more than two working days after the date of interception is laid down in Article 2 of Commission Directive 94/3/EC. This timeframe has continued to present technical and administrative challenges to MSs. Improvements to the EUROPHYT - Interceptions interface, and considerable efforts by MS users of the system have led to overall improvements over the years. However, the average reporting period 12 remains in excess of the two days stipulated (see Fig 7.1). In 2016, the average reporting period for all notifications, and those exclusively for HOs, was eight and nine working days, respectively (in 2015, as well as in 2012, it was an average of 10 and 11 days, respectively). As observed in previous years, it is unclear why the reporting period for HOs generally has been longer than that taken for all notifications, in particular as any diagnostic laboratory intervention is taken into account in the recording. 12 The reporting period is, in practice, defined as period between the date of interception and date of submission, except where laboratory analysis is required. In this case it is the period between the laboratory results date and date of submission. 28

34 All notifications Interceptions with HO Fig Average notification period for all MSs (all notifications, and those exclusively attributable to HOs) over the reference period Broad variation exist in the number of days required by MSs to report their notifications, and in 2016 the average delay ranged from 0 to 96 working days (see Table 7.1 of the Annex), with the majority of MSs still outside the required two-day notification timeframe. Such delays have a direct negative impact on the rapid alert function of EUROPHYT - Interceptions. 8. Conclusions EUROPHYT - Interceptions, as the EU rapid alert system for plant health interceptions in trade, continues its central role in alerting MSs and the European Commission to plant health risks from harmful organisms, as and when they are intercepted during import controls across the Union. Continuous technical upgrades and developments over the past, largely based on user feedback and suggestions from the EUROPHYT - Interceptions annual meeting with users, have further enhanced the systems towards improved user operation and overall system efficiency as an effective tool to tackle plant health risks quickly. With some 7,000 notifications currently added annually, the EUROPHYT - Interceptions database, now with more than 107,000 notifications collated over 22 years, represents a valuable repository of trade interception data. In conjunction with other data sets, particularly on trade volumes and routes, EUROPHYT - Interceptions data can be used to analyse and evaluate plant health risk patterns and trends as part of the plant health risk management in MSs and across the Union, as well as to support policy decisions and action(s). The data can also be used to gauge the impact(s) of such decisions and actions (e.g. emergency measures). In this regard, further technical advances towards EUROPHYT Interceptions and TRACES 29

35 inter-operability, with the added advantage of placing current notification rates in the context of trade volumes has continued. In addition, the EUROPHYT - Interceptions database can be used as a source of information for horizon scanning for emerging and re-emerging plant health risks to the EU. A key outcome in this context has been the development of the non-eu trade Alert List, and its continual evaluation by the Commission. EUROPHYT - Interceptions data also guides, discussion in various fora, the planning of the European Commission plant health audit programmes and continues to be publicly available, systematically distributed to, and used by, MS NPPOs, non-eu country NPPOs, EPPO and EFSA for a range of purposes. As in previous years, the Commission has continued to maintain its vigilance with respect to plant health risks from non-eu countries during The monitoring of interception trends, by way of analysis of the non-eu trade Alert List, has become instrumental in assessing risks from trade where the intention is to draw the attention of relevant plant health authorities and other stakeholders to certain trades as a first step in having these risks addressed. The downward trends in HO interceptions for a range of commodities from a range of non-eu countries during 2016 can be attributable, in no small part, to these Commission initiatives and related follow-up activities. The total number of annual notifications to EUROPHYT - Interceptions in 2016 for all nonconformities (mainly presence of HOs, non-marked WPM, and documentary/administrative non-compliances) from non-eu countries was markedly higher than the previous year. However, specifically for HOs, generally considered the most relevant indicator of phytosanitary risk, the trend, as reflected in the non-eu trade Alert List analysis for 2016, was 15% lower in 2016, despite on-going high volumes of imports, including, regulated commodities. In 2016, thirteen MSs were responsible for over 98% of interceptions related to HOs, of which just four were responsible for almost three quarters (72%), with thirteen non-eu countries responsible for the majority of cases (62%). Most of these countries have been recognised for a number of years as a source of specific plant health risks and the most prominent of these have been, or continue to be, subject to particular Commission measures or other actions. As in previous years, fruit and vegetables maintained its position as the commodity class with the greatest number of intercepted HOs from non-eu countries with over 66% of all interceptions. Despite its continuing prominence as the main commodity with respect to plant health risk, the 2016 figure represents a further downward trend in interceptions, with an overall 32% fall since This trend is largely due to marked reductions in interceptions of Capsicum and Citrus spp., in particular with false codling moth and citrus black spot, and to a lesser extent interceptions of Momordica spp., Solanum spp. and Luffa spp. (mainly from India), each as a result of various Commission measures. In particular, GH, showed a major improvement in 2016 due 30

36 to EU emergency measures introduced from 2015 banning the export of the most intercepted commodities. Similarly, as in previous years, WPM maintained its position as the commodity class with the second highest number of HO interceptions, although the number for 2016 was 7.1% down on the year before. This is primarily due to a marked decrease in interceptions from IN, as well as modest falls in HO interceptions from RU, VN and IN. CN, the second largest EU trading partner, however, recorded a 58.4% increase in HO interceptions in 2016 (continuing, with the exception of 2015, a distinct upward trend since 2012). The high incidence of intercepted HOs in ISPM 15 marked WPM raises concerns regarding the reliability of this mark from certain origins, not least CN. Cut flowers, again, the third most intercepted commodity class, slightly increased the number of interceptions since With respect to planting material, generally considered the most critical from a plant health risk perspective, although the total number of notifications for all reasons (predominantly absence of a PC) fell in 2016, the number for HOs increased 51.4% over the previous year, reversing a downward trend from The evolution of HO interceptions from non-eu countries will continue to be systematically monitored and EUROPHYT Interceptions will continue to act as a fundamental tool to support policy responses and other measures as deemed necessary to manage plant health risks from non-eu trade as they appear. A number of species, both new to EUROPHYT - Interceptions, and the EU territory, has been identified from the database in These will be considered for their respective risks. Species level designation by notifying MSs increased only very slightly to 54% of all taxonomic designations in 2016, (53% in 2015). The main improvement was some shift from family level designation to genus. Further improvement should be actively encouraged for a more informed operation of EUROPHYT - Interceptions as a rapid alert system and for supporting Commission measures against risks from non-eu country imports. With regard to the time MS take to notify interceptions, the 2016 average was eight working days for all notifications, and nine for those with HO. There was significant variation between MSs, from 0 to 96 days. EU legislation requires HO interceptions to be notified within two working days and, as such, there is still a need for improvement. As in previous years, the Commission stands ready to provide the necessary technical support and assistance towards these necessary improvements. 31

37 Annex Table 2.1 Number of EUROPHYT notifications Notified interceptions Consignments from Third countries 6,654 6,605 6,476 6,761 7,774 Consignments from Member States Total notifications 7,058 6,929 6,717 7,179 8,153 Table 2.2 Reasons for interceptions of consignments from non-eu countries Reasons for interceptions of consignments from Third Countries Presence of harmful organism 2,227 2,451 2,408 2,135 1,815 Reasons other than harmful organisms Prohibited plants, products, objects Non-compliant wood packaging material (other than HO presence) 2,200 2,032 1,999 2,607 3,770 Phytosanitary certificate: absent ,004 Phytosanitary certificate: illegible, fake, expired Phytosanitary certificate: declaration missing, inadequate, invalid Other technical, documentary reasons Total notifications 6,857 6,863 6,617 6,967 7,930 Table 2.3 Rolling annual number of interceptions with harmful organisms as referred to by the Alert Lists of January to December 2016 Month Number of interceptions with HOs January 1,978 February 1,985 March 1,968 April 1,931 May 1,997 June 2,015 July 2,033 August 1,947 September 1,872 October 1,873 November 1,777 December 1,733 32

38 Table 2.4 Number of EUROPHYT notifications by notifying Member State Notifying Member State AUSTRIA BELGIUM BULGARIA CROATIA CYPRUS CZECH REPUBLIC DENMARK ESTONIA FINLAND FRANCE GERMANY ,010 1,113 GREECE HUNGARY IRELAND ITALY LATVIA ,628 LITHUANIA LUXEMBOURG MALTA NETHERLANDS POLAND PORTUGAL ROMANIA SLOVAKIA SLOVENIA SPAIN SWEDEN SWITZERLAND UNITED KINGDOM Total notifications 1,446 1,314 1,391 1,226 1,174 6,654 6,605 6,476 6,761 7,774 Table 3.1 Type of notifications from non-eu countries (all reasons) 33

39 Notifications on Planting material Seeds Fruits, vegetables Cut flowers Wood, bark WPM Others Table 3.2 Non-EU countries with the highest number of interceptions (all reasons) Countries RUSSIAN FEDERATION ,223 2,089 UNITED STATES CHINA TURKEY THAILAND INDIA BRAZIL UGANDA LAOS BELARUS ISRAEL Table 3.3 Number of consignments intercepted with HO from non-eu countries, notified by the Member States in the table Notifying MS UNITED 1,076 1,099 1, KINGDOM NETHERLAN DS FRANCE GERMANY BELGIUM SPAIN AUSTRIA SWEDEN SWITZERLA ND ITALY LITHUANIA IRELAND LATVIA

40 Table 3.4 Intercepted consignments with HO from non-eu countries Interceptions Plants 2,007 2,203 2,168 1,846 1,555 Objects Total consignments 2,227 2,452 2,408 2,145 1,816 Table 3.5 Type of intercepted consignments with HO from non-eu countries Commodity Planting material Seeds Fruits, vegetables Cut flowers Wood, bark WPM Others Table 3.6 Non-EU countries with the highest number of interceptions with HO Country CHINA LAOS UGANDA THAILAND BANGLADESH ISRAEL INDIA VIETNAM MALI KENYA MALAYSIA CAMEROON DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Table 3.7 Type of commodities from non-eu countries, intercepted due to other reasons than the presence of HO Planting material Seeds

41 Fruits, vegetables Cut flowers Wood, bark WPM Others Table 3.8 Non-EU countries with the highest number of interceptions for reasons other than HO presence Country RUSSIAN FEDERATI ON UNITED STATES CHINA TURKEY UKRAINE THAILAND BRAZIL INDIA BELARUS EGYPT Table 4.1 Reasons and evolution of interceptions of consignments of planting material from non-eu countries over the reference period HO presence Prohibited goods PC absent PC incomplete, illegible, fake, expired PC problems with additional declarations Other reasons Table 4.2 Fruit and vegetables with the highest number of interceptions with HOs from non-eu countries Plant genus

42 Capsicum spp Mangifera spp Ocimum spp Citrus spp Momordica spp Corchorus spp Solanum spp Trichosanthes spp Luffa spp Table 4.3 Harmful organism groups intercepted with fruit and vegetables from non-eu countries ( ) Harmful organism Fruit Flies White flies False codling moth Leafminers Thrips Citrus black spot Citrus canker Table 4.4 Interceptions for fruit and vegetables from non-eu countries due to HOs ( ) LAOS UGANDA BANGLADESH MALI THAILAND VIETNAM DOMINICAN REPUBLIC MALAYSIA INDIA SRI LANKA GHANA CAMBODIA Table 4.5 Cut flowers with the highest number of interceptions with HO from non-eu countries 37

43 Gypsophila spp Orchidaceae Rosa spp Solidago spp Eryngium spp Chrysanthemum spp Table 4.6 Wood packaging material interceptions from non-eu countries ( ) Notified interceptions With harmful organisms For other reasons 1,921 1,825 1,941 2,478 2,951 Total 13 2,133 2,063 2,175 2,759 3,210 Table 4.7 The principal non-eu countries responsible for interceptions of HOs from WPM ( ) CHINA INDIA ISRAEL 10 RUSSIAN FEDERATION VIETNAM INDONESIA UKRAINE Table 4.8 Harmful organisms intercepted in wood packaging material from non-eu countries Harmful organism Wood and bark insects other than longhorn beetles Longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) Bursaphelenchus xylophilus Bursaphelenchus spp The discrepancy in total figures between Table 4.7 (3,210), as shown above, and Table 3.1 (3,222) is due to recording of interceptions due to both the presence of HOs and absence of ISPM 15 markings, resulting in some duplication (in this case 12). 38

44 Table 6.1 Level of identification of HO intercepted in consignments from non-eu countries Number of interceptions Species 947 1,038 1,101 1,166 1,039 Genus Family Other % share in annual HO interceptions Species 41.6% 41.2% 44.7% 53.0% 53.9% Genus 17.4% 20.4% 16.3% 13.6% 18.8% Family 35.2% 33.5% 33.2% 28.4% 23.1% Other 5.8% 4.9% 5.8% 5.0% 4.2% Table 6.2 HO categories with the highest number of interceptions from non-eu countries Annual numbers Insects 2,087 2,303 2,277 1,994 1,780 Fungi Nematodes Bacteria Viruses % of annual interceptions Insects 91.4% 91.4% 92.4% 90.6% 92.5% Fungi 3.5% 3.7% 2.6% 6.2% 2.6% Nematodes 2.5% 2.3% 1.6% 1.7% 2.9% Bacteria 2.1% 1.8% 2.2% 1.1% 1.5% Viruses 0.5% 0.8% 1.2% 0.4% 0.5% Table 6.3 Incidence of some of the most prominent HO group recorded over the reference period ( ) Fruit Flies White flies Wood, bark insects Leafminers False codling moth Thrips

45 Longhorn beetles Citrus black spot

46 Table 7.1 Average working days between interception and notification for each Member State Notifications All HO All HO All HO All HO All HO AUSTRIA BELGIUM BULGARIA CROATIA CYPRUS CZECH REPUBLIC DENMARK ESTONIA FINLAND FRANCE GERMANY GREECE HUNGARY IRELAND ITALY LATVIA LITHUANIA LUXEMBOURG MALTA NETHERLANDS POLAND PORTUGAL ROMANIA SLOVAKIA SLOVENIA SPAIN SWEDEN SWITZERLAND UNITED KINGDOM EU average

47 Table 8.1 The non-eu trade Alert List (1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016) No Country of export Interceptions with HO Comodities, intercepted most with HO 1 CHINA 186 Wood packaging material 2 LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATI C REPUBLIC 42 HO interceptions Main HOs intercepted 160 Wood and bark insects other than longhorn beetles Number of interceptions 131 Longhorn beetles 60 Nematodes 9 Planting material 14 Nematodes Ocimum spp. 55 White flies 32 Leaf miners 23 Eryngium spp. 13 White flies 13 Capsicum spp. 12 Fruit flies 11 Momordica spp. 10 Thrips 10 Polygonum spp. 9 White flies 9 Apium spp. 8 Leaf miners 5 Piper spp. 8 White flies 8 Mentha spp. 7 White flies 7 Corchorus spp. 6 White flies 5 Limnophila spp. 6 White flies 6 Melissa spp. 6 White flies 6 3 UGANDA 108 Capsicum spp. 80 Thaumatotibia leucotreta 73 Fruit flies 7 Momordica spp. 6 Fruit flies 6 Murraya spp. 6 Psyllids 6 4 THAILAND 98 Orchids 21 Thrips 19 5 BANGLADES H Mangifera spp. 8 Fruit flies 8 Morinda spp. 8 White flies 8 Planting material 7 Piper spp. 6 White flies 6 96 Trichosanthes spp. 36 Fruit flies 36 Momordica spp. 17 Thrips 13 Capsicum spp. 8 Fruit flies 7 Mangifera spp. 7 Fruit flies 7 Ziziphus spp. 7 Fruit flies 7 Solanum spp. other than potato and tomato Amaranthus spp. 5 6 Thrips 6 6 ISRAEL 86 Gypsophila spp. 19 Leaf miners 18 Ocimum spp. 16 White flies 13 Planting material 11 White flies 8

48 7 INDIA 76 Wood packaging material Wood packaging 10 Nematodes 10 material Mentha spp. 7 White flies 7 Origanum spp. 5 White flies 5 37 Wood and bark insects other than longhorn beetles Abelmoschus spp. 11 Thrips 6 Coccinia spp. 6 Fruit flies 6 Capsicum spp. 5 8 VIETNAM 67 Wood packaging material 9 Wood and bark insects other than longhorn beetles Annona spp. 7 Fruit flies 7 Ocimum spp. 6 White flies 5 9 MALI 66 Mangifera spp. 66 Fruit flies KENYA 56 Capsicum spp. 26 Thaumatotibia leucotreta 24 Planting material 6 Luffa spp. 6 Fruit flies 6 Ocimum spp MALAYSIA 56 Orchids 12 Thrips 12 Planting material 10 White flies 7 Averrhoa spp. 7 Fruit flies 7 Ocimum spp CAMEROON 52 Mangifera spp. 29 Fruit flies DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Annona spp. 8 Fruit flies 7 Citrus spp. 5 Wood and bark 5 Wood and bark insects other than longhorn beetles 50 Momordica spp. 19 Thrips 19 Mangifera spp. 13 Fruit flies 13 Solanum spp. other than potato and tomato 10 Thrips 5 14 NIGERIA 38 Corchorus spp. 16 White flies 16 Ocimum spp. 5 White flies 5 Solanum spp. other than potato and tomato 5 White flies 5 15 SRI LANKA 38 Amaranthus spp. 12 Leaf miners 11 Momordica spp. 7 Fruit flies 5 Planting material 5 White flies 5 Trichosanthes spp. 5 Fruit flies 5 16 EGYPT 32 Citrus spp. 15 Fruit flies SURINAME 31 Solanum spp. other than potato and tomato Corchorus spp. 5 White flies Spodoptera eridania 10 Spodoptera frugiperda 8 43

49 18 SOUTH AFRICA Capsicum spp Citrus spp. 16 Thaumatotibia leucotreta 8 Capsicum spp TOGO 26 Ipomoea spp. 9 White flies 9 Hibiscus spp. 8 White flies 8 20 ZIMBABWE 26 Capsicum spp. 14 Thaumatotibia leucotreta GHANA 23 Corchorus spp. 9 White flies 9 Ipomoea spp. 7 White flies 7 22 BRAZIL 22 Citrus spp. 12 Xanthomonas citri subsp. 8 citri Planting material 6 White flies 5 23 ETHIOPIA 22 Planting material 11 White flies 9 24 UNITED STATES 22 Planting material 9 Wood and bark 8 Wood and bark insects other than longhorn beetles 25 ARGENTINA 19 Citrus spp. 17 Phyllosticta citricarpa BURKINA 18 Mangifera spp. 16 Fruit flies 16 FASO 27 JORDAN 18 Corchorus spp. 15 White flies COLOMBIA 17 Chrysanthemum spp. 10 Leaf miners ECUADOR 17 Gypsophila spp. 13 Leaf miners MEXICO 17 Mangifera spp. 6 Fruit flies 6 31 CAMBODIA 16 Capsicum spp. 8 Fruit flies 8 Ocimum spp. 6 Leaf miners 5 32 JAMAICA 16 Allium spp. 8 Leaf miners 8 33 INDONESIA 14 Wood packaging material 8 Wood and bark insects other than longhorn beetles 34 TANZANIA 14 Planting material 7 White flies 6 35 SENEGAL 13 Mangifera spp. 10 Fruit flies COTE 12 Mangifera spp. 10 Fruit flies 10 D'IVOIRE 37 RUSSIAN 12 Wood packaging 10 Nematodes 9 FEDERATIO N material 38 COSTA RICA 11 Planting material 8 White flies 5 39 TURKEY 11 Planting material 5 White flies 5 40 UKRAINE 9 Wood packaging material 8 Wood and bark insects other than longhorn beetles 41 ZAMBIA 9 Capsicum spp. 5 Thaumatotibia leucotreta 5 42 MOZAMBIQ 8 Capsicum spp. 8 Thaumatotibia leucotreta 7 UE 43 MADAGASC 5 Mangifera spp. 5 Fruit flies 5 AR TOTAL

50